Arjun's back to fight Shahrukh

Arjun Rampal is back in Ra.One.

Reportedly, Arjun Rampal was the premier choice for the villian's role in the Shah Rukh Khan production. However, Rampal's painful back problem posed a major hurdle in his nodding assent to the role. Meanwhile, sensing this canny opportunity Vivek Oberoi ingratiated himself in SRK's favour… in order to bag the antagonist's role. In fact, as per close sources, he'd auditioned for it too!

However, all izz well on the back front, presently. And Arjun Rampal, the national award winning actor (Rock On!!), has romped right back into the project, courtesy his regular medication and apt treatment.

A source reveals, “Arjun was always the original choice to play the villain. Director Anubhav Sinha was very keen to have only Arjun because he perfectly suited the role and his persona is exactly what the director was looking for. His back problem was the only hurdle.” The source continues, “It’s true that Vivek Oberoi had auditioned for the role and was being considered as a back-up candidate.

But things seem to be going well with Arjun and we’ll see him sharing screen space with Shah Rukh Khan again after Om Shanti Om in which he also played SRK’s adversary. Arjun will have to perform a couple of stunts, but being a SFX movie, the director will make things easier for Arjun through the use of technology.”

While Arjun’s treatment is ongoing, he is already looking forward to start shooting. “Arjun is recovering speedily and is all charged up to play the villain’s role,” adds the source. A source close to Arjun confirmed the news.